Mathias Got Mugged Part 2

“Sleep in me an’ Cyd’s room,” Serena practically ordered, one hand on her hip, the other pointing to his arms. “You’re gonna get carbon trails, They’re gonna know.”

“That's what makeup is for.” Mathias joked hold out a Jay for Serena. “And I pretty much have to wear long sleeve anyway so really it’s not going to make a difference.” He said downplaying the issue.

Serena took and lit the small cigarette, her face still furrowed with worry. “Yeah but…” She started, taking a deep inhale to keep her voice calm. “What happened? Who did this?”

“No one you need to worry about.” Mathias taking a short draw. Taking a full breath was a bit painful. “Just … hazard of the job. Hazard of living in the Sprawl.” He reminded.

“You got jumped?” She asked. “Was it Click? Did he jump you?”

Mathias tried to laugh but ended up coughing. “What? Click? No! God no! He wouldn’t have the balls. Just some really desperate randos jumping a dealer after a rave.” He shrugged.

Serena took the joint from him for another hit and sat close. “And you had to?” She asked quietly.

“Had to what? Do the thing?” Mathias asked sighed as he leaned back on the couch. God he wanted a new one.

Serena nodded, handing the jay back to him. “That.” Being altered wasn’t illegal, using powers, on the other hand made selling drugs as much a crime as jaywalking in comparison. Not to mention it would leave him burned and marked with carbon streaks that never went away.

“You know I don’t take that shit lightly.” Mathias said quietly. “So much can go wrong so fast and it isn’t exactly subtle either.”

“I know,” Serena said quietly. Mathias’ was different than her or Cyd or even Isaac where no one would know, not really. “What are we gonna do?” She asked, drawing her knees to her chin. “Did anyone…” she let the sentence hang.

Mathias was quiet for a long moment as he took a hit from the Jay. “No.” Was all he said.

“I’m sorry,” Serena said softly, “I know you only did what you had to.” If Mathias used his power, it was life or death. None of the muggers would have walked away.

“Nothing to be sorry about. Is what it is. Everyone down here is one bad day from disaster … I’ll be damned if we're one of ‘em.” Mathias didn’t mean to sound so cold about it but it was of coping and disconnecting. That and at the end of the day if it were between them and his family? Not much of a choice there. “Okay, enough of my rotten day. Did you have fun?”

Serena furrowed her brow. Magpie’s offer seemed better than ever. She’d just wanted to get a new couch, but now, maybe she could make enough, get them a place in the city. Somewhere safer. “Yeah, I had a good time,” she said, not being able to muster any enthusiasm. “Vas did too. He’s now a rave puppy.”

Mathias gave her a look. “He still hanging around you? Should I be concerned?”

“About what?” She asked indignantly. “He saved my cottontail long before I tried to steal your sandwich. If there’s anyone you can trust? It’s him.”

“You mean from the long long ago you never have spoken about?” Mathias teased. “I’m just saying … you're still my little sister and he’s … and he’s a guy. Granted a guy who looks like he could take a couple of hits from Mr. Whacky.”

“You’re worried about that?” Serena asked, making a face. “He’s not interested in me for that. I couldn’t even get felt up at the rave on account of he was looming an’ threatened to break someone’s wrist. “

“You're right. I do like him.” Mathias smirked passing her the swindaling Jay.

“You’re impossible Mathias Skye,” Serena chastised, lying down across the coffee table with the joint between her teeth. “Completely impossible!”

“I don’t know what you're talking about. I think I'm being a perfectly reasonable amazing big brother.” Mathias chuckled poking Serena with a foot.

“How come it doesn’t bother you that Cyd is staying at Olin’s then?” Serena challenged.

“Why should that bother me? That feels like a weird question.” Mathias when to wrinkle his nose but stopped wincing.

“Because you’d be upset if I stayed at Vas’,” Serena explained. “Even though me an’ Vas wouldn’t do what Cyd and Olin are doing.”

“You’re ten and he’s like twenty five or something of course I would be upset.” Mathias was clearly joking and not taking Serina seriously. “And Cyd and Olin are obviously avid chess players and as you know chess and intense game that can take a long time to play. Hence why she stays overnight.”

Serena laughed, partly from the joint, partly from her brother’s words. “I still love you best of all,” she told him.

“Damn right.” Mathias chuckled. “Help me up I think im stuck. I'm crashing in the bed tonight and tomorrow you can help me fix my jacket. Can't be looking like a easy target with a messed up sleeve like that.”

Serena obliged, getting up and slinging his arm over her shoulder, helping him get to his feet. She held onto him long after he’d stood up, happy he was all right.

“Let me get some sleep, pain meds are kicking in and I am exhausted. You gonna stay up?” Mathias said with a yawn.

“Yeah,” Serena said,”I’m gonna be up. You just get sleep,” She acted as a crutch to get him to the bedroom, and, as he’d done hundreds of times for her, she put him to bed. Gently she pulled the covers up and over him, and leaned down to kiss his forehead. “Don’t worry about anything. I’ll clean up the bathroom for you.”

“Thanks Serena …” Mathias murmured. With the pain and ached dulled he was started to crash, exhausted. “ … dun stay up to late …” He muttered not sure if she hear him or not before completely zonking out.

“I won’t,” she whispered, lightly stepping out of the room. “An’ I know, I’m your favorite,” she said, softly closing the door.